Spidi vs. Dainese vs. Alpinestars
Discussion
What are people’s experiences of Spidi vs. Dainese vs. Alpinestars in terms of build quality, durability, etc?
I’ve used Spidi before (good quality) and Dainese (also very good). I found Dainese D-Dry comfier than Spidi H2Out, but my gear dates from 1948
when I was on my Vincent Black Lightning. Has anyone more recent experience of the Italian brands?
Also, has anyone crash tested them?
I’ve used Spidi before (good quality) and Dainese (also very good). I found Dainese D-Dry comfier than Spidi H2Out, but my gear dates from 1948
when I was on my Vincent Black Lightning. Has anyone more recent experience of the Italian brands? Also, has anyone crash tested them?
I’ve crashed twice in alpinestars. Not that great but never left a mark so can’t complain
I’ve crashed in Arlen ness a few times. Brilliant.
I’ve crashed in Spidi twice. Both times they needed repaired. Once I got a little love bite from the tarmac.
In the first 2 crashes I had alpinestars gloves on and they were junk. All the other crashes I had Held Gloves on and they were practically indestructible. So my vote would be for Held leathers. They don’t look that stylish but they’ll be strong
I’ve crashed in Arlen ness a few times. Brilliant.
I’ve crashed in Spidi twice. Both times they needed repaired. Once I got a little love bite from the tarmac.
In the first 2 crashes I had alpinestars gloves on and they were junk. All the other crashes I had Held Gloves on and they were practically indestructible. So my vote would be for Held leathers. They don’t look that stylish but they’ll be strong
Crash tested dianese textiles and they held up with a slide along the tarmac - they were marked and a little damaged so no longer water proof, but then I'd expect any textiles to damage.
I have alpinestar leathers which are comfortable but not tested. Agree with held gloves being brilliant and I had a held jacket that was great quality
I have alpinestar leathers which are comfortable but not tested. Agree with held gloves being brilliant and I had a held jacket that was great quality
I've had a couple of sets of the Spidi Windstar leathers, and they've both had a fair few crashes now. They've held up pretty well and they're a nice thick leather, although that does make them heavy.
I now have a AS tech air suit, and whilst it's very thin, the quality of the stitching and the material is really good - It's also very heavy due to the Airbag
Like McKeen says, the AS gloves are pretty crap, and I use Held titan ones now which are brilliant, so I'd imagine the Held suits to be equally as good.
I've just moved to a set of Five gloves as I'd worn a small hole in the palm of my Held gloves, and the quality of those is really good too
They all fit slightly differently too, so worth getting along to a dealer that stocks a few brands of leathers as try them all on.
I had a set of Dainese leathers for a couple of months, and they were s
te and the stretch panel tore (I did get them second hand though)
I now have a AS tech air suit, and whilst it's very thin, the quality of the stitching and the material is really good - It's also very heavy due to the Airbag
Like McKeen says, the AS gloves are pretty crap, and I use Held titan ones now which are brilliant, so I'd imagine the Held suits to be equally as good.
I've just moved to a set of Five gloves as I'd worn a small hole in the palm of my Held gloves, and the quality of those is really good too
They all fit slightly differently too, so worth getting along to a dealer that stocks a few brands of leathers as try them all on.
I had a set of Dainese leathers for a couple of months, and they were s
te and the stretch panel tore (I did get them second hand though)When I worked in a bike shop I would say that alpinestars probably sold the most and came back the least. Their support is great even offering things like putting new soles on boots for a very reasonable price.
Dainese was reliable but when it went wrong the support from Dainese was crap. They seem to do everything in slow motion. They also make no secret of the fact that they use the cheapest leather they can find despite they high price tag.
I don’t have a massive amount of experience with Spidi but I’d say it’s decent stuff from what I did see. Feridax are the distributor and they are really good, they distribute other brands like Shoei and wouldn’t take on something that is crap.
Held leathers are great, I’ve crashed in a Held suit and it was fine to reuse. I’ve seen others hold up really well from big crashes. One year we had a guy in who was club racing and crashed in his 13 times with the odd minor repair.
What I would say is that the different brands do different things better. Held are really good at gloves and leather suits but things like boots are terrible. Alpinestars do really good boots but their gloves aren’t amazing. They are all made in different factories and it depends on the factory as to what the quality is like. Unfortunately you don’t know that when buying.
Dainese was reliable but when it went wrong the support from Dainese was crap. They seem to do everything in slow motion. They also make no secret of the fact that they use the cheapest leather they can find despite they high price tag.
I don’t have a massive amount of experience with Spidi but I’d say it’s decent stuff from what I did see. Feridax are the distributor and they are really good, they distribute other brands like Shoei and wouldn’t take on something that is crap.
Held leathers are great, I’ve crashed in a Held suit and it was fine to reuse. I’ve seen others hold up really well from big crashes. One year we had a guy in who was club racing and crashed in his 13 times with the odd minor repair.
What I would say is that the different brands do different things better. Held are really good at gloves and leather suits but things like boots are terrible. Alpinestars do really good boots but their gloves aren’t amazing. They are all made in different factories and it depends on the factory as to what the quality is like. Unfortunately you don’t know that when buying.
SAS Tom said:
What I would say is that the different brands do different things better.
Totally this - I’ve just replaced all my gear. Gone for Alpinestars leathers & boots, Rukka gloves and Arai (always). Buying decision on quality ‘feel’, real fit and the acid test of “would I wish I’d have invested in this the day after an ‘off’. Works for me! SAS Tom said:
What I would say is that the different brands do different things better. Held are really good at gloves and leather suits but things like boots are terrible. Alpinestars do really good boots but their gloves aren’t amazing.
Yep, My A* boots lasted years, many miles on and off the bike. The gloves have all fallen apart. My Held gloves have lasted years too and when I did have an issue it was replaced by Held with a new pair of the latest model within 3 days. My brother's Held boots fell to pieces around 13 months.Dainese for me. My 2pc on road is very good quality. I have astar for track and it doesnt feel as well built
I worked in the bike trade from 98-06 and although things have changed I remember Spidi always coming up tight and short in the body and the quality was on par with astar normally needing a repair on stitching opening after a crash where as dainese just seemed thicker and heavier
I worked in the bike trade from 98-06 and although things have changed I remember Spidi always coming up tight and short in the body and the quality was on par with astar normally needing a repair on stitching opening after a crash where as dainese just seemed thicker and heavier
I’d echo the comments above re alpinestars stuff. I’ve recently bought an Alpinestars GP plus V2 one piece and it really feels like a quality bit of kit, good stitching, supple leather, decent zips etc.
I’ve previously owned 2 pairs of Alpinestars GP pro gloves, both of which have split along the sides of one finger without even a crash. The second pair had probably only seen about 2000 road miles before it split. Replaced with Furygan gloves which aren’t as comfortable but feel more well made. Plan on buying some racer gloves at some point as to me, these feel the best.
I’ve previously owned 2 pairs of Alpinestars GP pro gloves, both of which have split along the sides of one finger without even a crash. The second pair had probably only seen about 2000 road miles before it split. Replaced with Furygan gloves which aren’t as comfortable but feel more well made. Plan on buying some racer gloves at some point as to me, these feel the best.
Spidi for me !!
Due to my Spidi suit, protecting me, I Never ever get on my R1 / other bikes without suitable protection ( normally full Spidi leathers )
I am on my second set of Spidi leathers and TBH, these and Dainese and possibly one other brand whose name escapes me ( the Fast Bikes guys etc wore them back in the late 90s - Spyke ) a re the Only leathers I would consider wearing.
Had a terrible head on smash about 8 years back and my Spidi suit held up very well. Although I didn't slide as such, but the last of many impacts to my body was to my right shoulder, hard onto the road from a hight. My shoulder was damaged, but without my Spidi suit on, with its shoulder armour, I reckon my shoulder would have been very badly smashed.
I didn't then wear a back protector and the R1 landed on top of me as I landed on their windscreen. I Always wear a back protector now!
When the two lying Scum in their Merc hit my R1, head on @ speed, on My side of the road, the knee armour in my Spidi trousers rode up and gave me two nasty open wounds above my knees, but without the armour, my knees would have been smashed to pieces. The right bar end speared my right inner thigh, causing a Huge heamatoma, but this would have been far worse if I had of been wearing just riding jeans or textiles.
The simply fantastic medic lady in the ambulance cut my suit off of me in seconds, shredding it, but she cut through the zips on my Sidis, so I was able to get new zips fitted ( some 5 years later.
My Sidi Vertabra boots protected my feet, ankles and shins perfectly.
My 8 year old Arai RX-7 RR took repeated heavy blows and although I passed out numerous times and had concussion for probably a week after ( and I am Still suffering mental health and physical problems from the smash - plus I am £££ now financially F.... Thanks for your Total incompetence White Dalton ) my Arai did its job superbly.
Due to my Spidi suit, protecting me, I Never ever get on my R1 / other bikes without suitable protection ( normally full Spidi leathers )
I am on my second set of Spidi leathers and TBH, these and Dainese and possibly one other brand whose name escapes me ( the Fast Bikes guys etc wore them back in the late 90s - Spyke ) a re the Only leathers I would consider wearing.
Had a terrible head on smash about 8 years back and my Spidi suit held up very well. Although I didn't slide as such, but the last of many impacts to my body was to my right shoulder, hard onto the road from a hight. My shoulder was damaged, but without my Spidi suit on, with its shoulder armour, I reckon my shoulder would have been very badly smashed.
I didn't then wear a back protector and the R1 landed on top of me as I landed on their windscreen. I Always wear a back protector now!
When the two lying Scum in their Merc hit my R1, head on @ speed, on My side of the road, the knee armour in my Spidi trousers rode up and gave me two nasty open wounds above my knees, but without the armour, my knees would have been smashed to pieces. The right bar end speared my right inner thigh, causing a Huge heamatoma, but this would have been far worse if I had of been wearing just riding jeans or textiles.
The simply fantastic medic lady in the ambulance cut my suit off of me in seconds, shredding it, but she cut through the zips on my Sidis, so I was able to get new zips fitted ( some 5 years later.
My Sidi Vertabra boots protected my feet, ankles and shins perfectly.
My 8 year old Arai RX-7 RR took repeated heavy blows and although I passed out numerous times and had concussion for probably a week after ( and I am Still suffering mental health and physical problems from the smash - plus I am £££ now financially F.... Thanks for your Total incompetence White Dalton ) my Arai did its job superbly.
Edited by neutral 3 on Sunday 30th December 17:44
Edited by neutral 3 on Sunday 30th December 17:45
Edited by neutral 3 on Sunday 30th December 18:34
Edited by neutral 3 on Monday 31st December 00:20
I have had Dainese and always found the leathers and Gloves to fit very well. I have Alpinestars Textiles and also found them to be very good.
I've not had Spidi at all yet
But have now Lindstrands leathers and found them to be very good and from the Halvarssons group. https://jofama.se/mcsm/en_gb/
The only gloves I have found are comfier than Dainese gloves have been my current summer gloves Kush...itani https://www.kustani-uk.co.uk/gloves
Edited for WTF censor the name lol
I've not had Spidi at all yet
But have now Lindstrands leathers and found them to be very good and from the Halvarssons group. https://jofama.se/mcsm/en_gb/
The only gloves I have found are comfier than Dainese gloves have been my current summer gloves Kush...itani https://www.kus
tani-uk.co.uk/glovesEdited for WTF censor the name lol
neutral 3 said:
Spidi for me !!
Due to my Spidi suit, protecting me, I Never ever get on my R1 / other bikes without suitable protection ( normally full Spidi leathers )
I am on my second set of Spidi leathers and TBH, these and Dainese and possibly one other brand whose name escapes me ( the Fast Bikes guys etc wore them back in the late 90s - Spyke ) a re the Only leathers I would consider wearing.
Had a terrible head on smash about 8 years back and my Spidi suit held up very well. Although I didn't slide as such, but the last of many impacts to my body was to my right shoulder, hard onto the road from a hight. My shoulder was damaged, but without my Spidi suit on, with its shoulder armour, I reckon my shoulder would have been very badly smashed.
I didn't then wear a back protector and the R1 landed on top of me as I landed on their windscreen. I Always wear a back protector now!
When the two lying Scum in their Merc hit my R1, head on @ speed, on My side of the road, the knee armour in my Spidi trousers rode up and gave me two nasty open wounds above my knees, but without the armour, my knees would have been smashed to pieces. The right bar end speared my right inner thigh, causing a Huge heamatoma, but this would have been far worse if I had of been wearing just riding jeans or textiles.
The simply fantastic medic lady in the ambulance cut my suit off of me in seconds, shredding it, but she cut through the zips on my Sidis, so I was able to get new zips fitted ( some 5 years later.
My Sidi Vertabra boots protected my feet, ankles and shins perfectly.
My 8 year old Arai RX-7 RR took repeated heavy blows and although I passed out numerous times and had concussion for probably a week after ( and I am Still suffering mental health and physical problems from the smash - plus I am £££ now financially F.... Thanks for your Total incompetence White Dalton ) my Arai did its job superbly.
Sorry to hear about your collision and even sorrier that White Dalton were not competent - I've been reading their column in Fast Bikes for years and (obviously) they give the impression of being a top firm for any motor vehicle accidents Due to my Spidi suit, protecting me, I Never ever get on my R1 / other bikes without suitable protection ( normally full Spidi leathers )
I am on my second set of Spidi leathers and TBH, these and Dainese and possibly one other brand whose name escapes me ( the Fast Bikes guys etc wore them back in the late 90s - Spyke ) a re the Only leathers I would consider wearing.
Had a terrible head on smash about 8 years back and my Spidi suit held up very well. Although I didn't slide as such, but the last of many impacts to my body was to my right shoulder, hard onto the road from a hight. My shoulder was damaged, but without my Spidi suit on, with its shoulder armour, I reckon my shoulder would have been very badly smashed.
I didn't then wear a back protector and the R1 landed on top of me as I landed on their windscreen. I Always wear a back protector now!
When the two lying Scum in their Merc hit my R1, head on @ speed, on My side of the road, the knee armour in my Spidi trousers rode up and gave me two nasty open wounds above my knees, but without the armour, my knees would have been smashed to pieces. The right bar end speared my right inner thigh, causing a Huge heamatoma, but this would have been far worse if I had of been wearing just riding jeans or textiles.
The simply fantastic medic lady in the ambulance cut my suit off of me in seconds, shredding it, but she cut through the zips on my Sidis, so I was able to get new zips fitted ( some 5 years later.
My Sidi Vertabra boots protected my feet, ankles and shins perfectly.
My 8 year old Arai RX-7 RR took repeated heavy blows and although I passed out numerous times and had concussion for probably a week after ( and I am Still suffering mental health and physical problems from the smash - plus I am £££ now financially F.... Thanks for your Total incompetence White Dalton ) my Arai did its job superbly.
Edited by neutral 3 on Sunday 30th December 17:44
Edited by neutral 3 on Sunday 30th December 17:45
Edited by neutral 3 on Sunday 30th December 18:34
Edited by neutral 3 on Monday 31st December 00:20
SVS said:
Also, has anyone crash tested them?
I'd do some research on stitching and soft armour as the base leather will usually be fine.
BlackPrince said:
Sorry to hear about your collision and even sorrier that White Dalton were not competent - I've been reading their column in Fast Bikes for years and (obviously) they give the impression of being a top firm for any motor vehicle accidents
Thanks. And indeed White Dalton do give the impression of being a top firm to go to if one has been in an RTA. Sadly for me, i was conned by their " We Are on Your Side" Utter Bulls
t, and their repeated phone calls to me, asking me to give them the frigging case, as they regally f shafted me. If I pick up ANY mag mag that has their drivel featured in it, it goes straight back on the shelf or in the bin.
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